Newest Raider Burnett speaks with media

Here is the transcript from a conference call with linebacker Kevin Burnett a short time after he signed with the Raiders on Sunday:

Q: When you got released from the Dolphins, how long before you got on the phone with your brother [current Raiders LB Kaelin Burnett]?

Burnett: I don’t think anybody was too excited about calling me at that point. I mean, I didn’t talk to him until a couple of days ago when I was on my way to Oakland actually. Well, actually wait, let me back that up. I got released, I told him that day, I was supposed to fly out the night I got released, so the day … so that was the day I talked to him.

Q: When you were in Miami, were you primarily a ‘4-3 under’ defense? What was that like in terms of coming over to the Raiders and Coach Allen said he wanted a multiple defense being it’ll be more 3-4…is there something you’re more comfortable playing or something you just know you can adapt and play that type of scheme?

Burnett: Coming in and meeting with the coaching staff and what they want to accomplish, defense is defense actually, either you’re good or you’re bad. Middle of the pack, usually middle of the pack doesn’t get it done, so what I’ve been told is we’re trying to make best fit today and at this point, it’s what about where you fit in. The personnel fit really well for them and I look forward to coming and playing, so I think they’ll change for the players. To answer your question real short, they’re going to change their defense to what we do best. It’s going to be a matter of us putting together the pieces one by one, so whatever we pick up is what we’ll run.

Q: How did this whole process come about? How quickly did you hear from the Raiders and did you hear from any teams?

Burnett: I heard from teams rather quickly. These were probably the longest four days of my life. It’s a very uncomfortable feeling. The Raiders, they were in it from day one. This is all a blur for me right now, so I really can’t answer that question. It all happened fairly quick, I’ll put it that way.

Q: Three years ago, when the Raiders had some interest in you, what do you recall of that meeting with the Raiders and how close did you come to being a Raider back then?

Burnett: The only thing I remember about that was I know I didn’t get an offer from the Raiders. So I came in, took a physical and never got an offer and that was the end of it. I flew out…I came in, took a physical and I flew out probably 12:30-1:00 that day. It was an opportunity that just didn’t come to fruition, but now I’m a Raider, so who cares about it.

Q: Having played the Raiders each of the past three seasons, what do you make of the roster?

Burnett: What do I make of the roster? To be honest with you, I haven’t looked at the roster, number one. Number two, what the roster looks like now is not what it’s going to look like come September 1, so who knows from myself to everybody to guy 53, who knows who’s going to be here? Nobody is exempt at this point…the mere fact that we’re having this conversation proves that.

Q: What were your primary factors that you made you want to sign with the Raiders?

Burnett: It had to be a fit. It had to be a need and it had to be something that I think we were all willing to do. More importantly, you had to have the money, the economics, the coaching, it all had to be right. That’s all part of the fit.

Q: How much of a sibling rivalry…what kind of relationship do you guys have football-wise?

Burnett: Oh man, that’s my brother. I think the biggest thing was I told him was I wasn’t coming in to play the same position as my brother. I’ll go on record saying that. I want to make sure that we all understand that I’m coming in here to assist my brother, first and foremost, and come in here and play the best I can, provide leadership, and ownership of your responsibilities. Other than that, I can’t go out and win games solely by myself. It’s a team game, so this is going to be a true test of every man on the team’s ability to come together and play as one and be one heartbeat.

Q: Even though Tony Sparano was an offensive guy, did that play any part in terms of maybe signing with the Raiders, knowing that you had somebody to help vouch for you in terms of what you did in Miami even though it was one year he got to see you play?

Burnett: Oh me and Tony go back. Tony is actually out of those eight years I’ve been in the league, he’s seen me play in five of them, so he’s been my head coach for one, but we were together four years, however many years in Dallas, but he’s been able to watch me grow and mature as a player. I think it was very important to me getting here because I don’t think I was even on the radar and I don’t think they would have brought me in without Tony having the first-hand experience with me.

Q: What was it like when you found out that your brother had made the Raiders roster at the end of the season? What was your guys’ dynamic at that point?

Burnett: We were both excited. It was exciting just to know that now you have two of you playing in the National Football League. I’m not sure if there’s ever in the history of the NFL, been two brothers that have played on the same team. I’d have to do my homework on it. I want to say that’s a first. It’ll probably be more exciting if we’re on the field at the same time.

I clicked on about 10 teams, and all four of our AFCW rivals and didn’t see any cap figure less than 90 million.

I assert we are in the best cap situation of any team in the NFL in 2014.

Stop making excuses for this team!!
*******************************
Thank you! It’s getting beyond sickening. This situation is much better than the average GM in the NFL has to deal with some are much worse off yet they win. Our cap space has zero to do with how we will ultimately compete this year. It’s all about the players and who’s coaching them up………….period

SilverNBlackPA

Reggie can make any move he wants by simply mortgaging part of our future…

++++++++++

Eventually that catches up with you. Witness last season. The bill came due after years of kicking the can down the road.

Frankly for McKenzie to negotiate that mess and have us in decent shape after only 1 year and free and clear within 2 speaks to his talent if you ask me.

JLofty

Preist you sound like the only one in here whining….

Gdog

Dakota Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 1:10 pm

Gdog,

I wonder if that link simply is not taking into account the $32 million in dead money?

>>>

Click on 2013 and then 2014… the only dead money included are Brisiel and Roach for 2014.

PurpleDrank81

So I’ve been hearing rumors of STL looking to trade up to the 3rd roud pick.

Is it possible that Reggie could swindle both of there 1st round picks

SilverNBlackPA

JLofty Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 1:14 pm
Preist you sound like the only one in here whining….

+++++++++

It’s been my experience that the biggest whiners are the ones who complain the most about others whining.

edward teach

Gdog Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Raiders cap room not as much as people thought.

********************************************************

Pretty sure Reggie knew what it was.

Kinda makes the “we can sign anyone we want if we want to, but Reggie’s afraid to pull the trigger argument” a little silly.

Charlie

Gdog

You are forgetting about $32 million in dead money paid to players not on the team this year.

RaidersAllday_LtsGeTit

guest123 Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 8:26 am
Burnett was pretty candid about the money being his biggest motivator. I think that’s a double edged knife. He talks about preparing to play and getting ready as a professional and leaving it out on the field. He knows his play and ability roll up defensive stats is directly tied to his market value. He’s not playing out his last contract. When and if it goes all bad and he slumps his shoulders on the sidelines, then you will know he’s just cashing paychecks and knows the gravy train is ending soon.

But I think the money motivation actually is a positive with Burnett. Very pragmatic, honest, and motivated. None of this ‘rah-rah-team’ BS.

————————–

It comes down to money with most FA’s.. the key is .. matching up the Money side with the production side and knowing what you are getting. We all know Reggie didnt sign Burnett to some huge deal.. and he felt it was a fair offer.

Just like Wheeler took his money and got out.. I was listening to him on the dolphins website and he was just talking how he didnt think Oakland was a good fit for him.. and Miami just felt better..

now If Oakland would have overpaid him like the dolphins did im sure he would have felt different.

guest123

There is no reason for us to be the dormats of the AFCW any longer. Reggie can make any move he wants by simply mortgaging part of our future…

***********

not Reggie’s plan. if he wanted to do that, he’d have participated in the big game hunt a week ago. he’s waiting for more dollar store clearance items to hit the shelves.

you said you were at overthecap.com.

Surely you read their article on the home page that explains what Reggie is up to with the salary cap slashing moves.

I agree Mike Mitchell might be starting FS, he needs work but largely has the measureables, easily athletic and fast enough and brings the pain on recievers, you can blitz him and put him on TE’s ….

Biggest issue …

Instincts.

dont know if its scheme based but his instincts in the passing game are wildy inconsistent.

But if he gets the chance i like the run support and someone who can cause some turnovers and big hits.

Gdog

SilverNBlackPA Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 1:14 pm

Reggie can make any move he wants by simply mortgaging part of our future…

++++++++++

Eventually that catches up with you. Witness last season. The bill came due after years of kicking the can down the road.

Frankly for McKenzie to negotiate that mess and have us in decent shape after only 1 year and free and clear within 2 speaks to his talent if you ask me.

>>>

LOL! He can spend 30 million more dollars and still be 5 mill under Denver!!

Stop making excuses for this team!!!

Dakota

Any little Dutch boy sightings at the owners meeting?

Priesttj12

Gdog, this is where the rubber meets the road. Can he put together a team that competes this year and gets us back to where we were competitively or beyond if he cannot you cna’t help but look at what he’s doing and judge it appropriately.

This cap space program and sales pitch has no bearing on who he choses to play on this team I’m watching teams do whatever they damn well please. Reggie needs to put up or shut up………..period

rediaR

PurpleDrank81 Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 1:15 pm
So I’ve been hearing rumors of STL looking to trade up to the 3rd roud pick.

Is it possible that Reggie could swindle both of there 1st round picks
—————-
Who do they want so much they need to go up to the 3 spot? Floyd? Milliner?

NGRaiderfan

530.Gdog Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
I assure you, we did not go 4-12 because of Knapp.

>>>>

If we return to a top ten offense and a minimum of 8 wins again, would you become convinced??

================

I think it had a lot to do with our offense. Teams with good offenses can win with bad defenses, not the superbow per se, but they can get wins. our defense was equally bad in 2011 and we still went 8-8. we didn’t lose many guys on O. I think maybe 1 or 2 starters. plus we gained a solid wr and dmc was healthy all yr and reece developed into a playmaker moreso than 2011. it is hard to find any bigger reason for our offenses struggles than the OC and change of scheme.

I also think injuries hurt us a lot this yr. with seymour out most of the season (at least depth wise that hurts. plus he was a good player, not the player we brought him in to be, but solid.

losing our starting cbs hurt. i think spencer would have been solid if healthy and bartell could have been also, we’ll never know though. injuries to them forced a lot of changes in our secondary.

huff moving to cb might have been a blessig in disguise, if it weren’t for us haing no one to replace him at safety. let’s face it. our safety group was piss poor this yr. giordano being just not starter material, mike mitchell playing out of position. branch trying to do too much and not focusing on his job.

Branch and brisiel playing hurt all season probably hindered their performance, we’ll see if they bounce back.

jacoby fords injury hurt, a lot. our kick return unit was just dreadful. Jacoby is a game changer on special teams.

also our ST coach failed miserably. our coverage units were bad, our return units were bad. everything having to do with special teams not names janikowski sucked.

rediaR

I haven’t seen any indication that MM will be resigned so I’ll believe it when I see it.

SilverNBlackPA

LOL! He can spend 30 million more dollars and still be 5 mill under Denver!!

+++++++++

That’s NEXT YEAR

Right now Spotrac has us at $113.2 million. That’s enough for another bargain signing or two but that’s about it.

Even when the hammer falls on RoMac and Kelly, they’ll still counting for 16 million in dead money

Seriously do you realize the numbers you’re throwing out there are for next year?

Gdog

guest123 Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 1:16 pm

There is no reason for us to be the dormats of the AFCW any longer. Reggie can make any move he wants by simply mortgaging part of our future…

***********

not Reggie’s plan. if he wanted to do that, he’d have participated in the big game hunt a week ago. he’s waiting for more dollar store clearance items to hit the shelves.

you said you were at overthecap.com.

Surely you read their article on the home page that explains what Reggie is up to with the salary cap slashing moves.

That is why he couldn’t sign anybody LAST YEAR… he correctly needed to stop kicking the can down the road, and why he cleared Routt and Whimbley off the books, amongst others.

There are 26 players with dead money on our books this year, 2 for 2014.

The pain of losing can END NOW, if Reggie chooses.

guest123

I doubt very much that Milliner is the prize at #3. The real prize will be Geno. Bills and Cards are desperate and need to pony up to secure Geno.

raiderinparadise

Jordan Palmer is an UFA.

All I’m saying … cut CP3 and give Jordan the same #3, who would know?

Theres your restructure… shhhh!!!!!!!!!!

da trinity

And also Charlie, teams know we need more picks, so why would they Jump ahead of us when they know we’re more then willing to trade down. There isn’t a player in this draft like RG3 or Luck. Players that you stand hold your ground for in hopes they fall. # 3 pick is in play , and getting more attractive as the draft approaches

Gdog

SilverNBlackPA Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 1:20 pm

LOL! He can spend 30 million more dollars and still be 5 mill under Denver!!

+++++++++

That’s NEXT YEAR

Right now Spotrac has us at $113.2 million. That’s enough for another bargain signing or two but that’s about it.

Even when the hammer falls on RoMac and Kelly, they’ll still counting for 16 million in dead money

Seriously do you realize the numbers you’re throwing out there are for next year?

>>>>

You DO understand how contracts can be written right?

Minimum contract this year, but a large signing bonus?

The bonus just gets divided up over the length of the contract. Now this is risky IF you don’t plan on keeping the players around because it gets accelerated… but if Reggie see’s any free agents he thinks are good fits for our future plans, there is NO EXCUSE not to sign them!!

Thats why I am STILL scratching my head about Bryant.

He more than made up for it with Wheeler… but we have a hole yet to replace with Bryant.

RaidersAllday_LtsGeTit

The reason we have no talent is because Reggie lets talent walk out the door.

Some of you guys have stunningly little understanding of the NFL salary cap.

I will not sit here at my keyboard and claim to have it all figured out but a few of you don’t even seem to understand basic accounting…

DKnight007

583.guest123 Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 1:21 pm
I doubt very much that Milliner is the prize at #3. The real prize will be Geno. Bills and Cards are desperate and need to pony up to secure Geno.

^^^^^^^^^
I think the prize(s) will be Geno and one of the Left Tackles that falls to #3 between Joekel and Fisher.

I also think someone may fall in love with the freak pass rushers Ansah or D Jordan.

Priesttj12

edward teach Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 1:15 pm
Gdog Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Raiders cap room not as much as people thought.

********************************************************

Pretty sure Reggie knew what it was.

Kinda makes the “we can sign anyone we want if we want to, but Reggie’s afraid to pull the trigger argument” a little silly.
*******************************
ET, this is the kind of stuff that bothers me most. because it’s not either or, it’s not one end of teh spectrum against the other at all. There is a whole lot of in between. He may not be able to sign whoever he wants but he can do some of it. If reggie had kept more of the young talent that had already been groomed here he would have much less work to. If he had not re-upped Seymour and got rid of the huge contracts and paid that money to those young players coming up. he could’ve kept some key biulding blocks and parred down the cap at the same time.

It’s all about perspective you guys look at the cap as the be all to end all. It is NOT….

It’s OK to have less cap space if you have the players YOU think you need to win. if you don’t know who those players are then it becomes much more difficult to know who to keep and get the cap down at the same time. You end up sweeping out the gems with the trash. Then you are in need of more gems because of your own inability to judge talent you already have. You are doing twice the work that needed to be done……….period

JB

Now that Meyers is gone, how about moving Marcel Reece to TE? Could easily be the next Todd Christensen. Opinions?

Raider_D

DKnight007 Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 1:26 pm

583.guest123 Says:
March 18th, 2013 at 1:21 pm
I doubt very much that Milliner is the prize at #3. The real prize will be Geno. Bills and Cards are desperate and need to pony up to secure Geno.

^^^^^^^^^
I think the prize(s) will be Geno and one of the Left Tackles that falls to #3 between Joekel and Fisher.

I also think someone may fall in love with the freak pass rushers Ansah or D Jordan.

————————

I’d agree and if we stay in the top 10 theres a good chance we will still get someone solid for our Dline.

guest123

How can anyone scratch their head over losing Bryant? Anyone think he’s worth $35 million? Even Wheeler’s deal was excessive. I hated losing them, but overpaying to keep them would keep us in cap hell forever.

I’m sure Reggie tried to discuss a deal but when he heard the numbers their agents were floating, he said, ‘no thanks, good luck to you on your new teams’.

SilverNBlackPA

Thats why I am STILL scratching my head about Bryant.

++++++++

I like Desmond Bryant quite a bit, but that was waaayyy too much scratch to pay out to him.

Someone (Cork?) said the Raiders were negotiating to re-sign him but bowed out when they heard the number Cleveland was throwing at him.

Reggie was wise to not match that offer.

Just my own opinion.

RaiderRockstar

@ GDOG

you missed this:

“they have an astonishing $32 million in dead money — money accounted for on players no longer on the roster”